Cratis D. Williams was one of the early leaders in the field of Appalachian Studies, earning him the title "Mr. Appalachia" and "father of Appalachian studies" by some. One source comments on the life and work of Williams:

Born in a log cabin in Caines Creek, Ky., in 1911, Cratis D. Williams, who died in 1985, was the first person from the town to attend and graduate from the county high school. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky, teaching in one-room schoolhouses to support himself. He later earned a Ph.D. from New York University. In 1942, Williams accepted a teaching position at the Appalachian State Teacher’s College, now known as Appalachian State University. He held various positions from teacher to dean of the graduate school (which was ultimately named for him) to acting chancellor. His field was English, but he also taught courses in speech, drama, folklore and Appalachian culture.

Below is a brief but interesting 1980 interview with the Lawrence County, Kentucky, native on topics such as Scots-Irish immigration into the mountains, Appalachian linguistics and dialect, as well as a few early ballads from the region. The interview begins around the 1:45 mark and the footage is brought to you by Appalshop out of Whitesburg, Kentucky.